“In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.” – Robert Heinlein

Here’s a frequently asked question about searching our blog:

Is there a search box somewhere on the churchleaderinsights.com website? I wanted to try to search for a blog article to see if you’ve written on a particular subject, but couldn’t find one. Is there anyway to do that?

We have a product search function in our store and we archive the blog posts by subjects but right now there’s no official search function for the blog or the site (I should check our web guy about adding one in – I wonder if word press allows that?  But I digress) but there is a way:

Go to www.google.com

enter this in the search box:

site:www.churchleaderinsights.com your search keywords here

This works with the CLI site or any other Web site you want to search.  Pretty cool, huh?

Thanks for your question and I’m glad you find the blog so helpful that you want to search it!

Nelson

P.S. Got a question for us?  Use the Ask Nelson button on the right.

Here’s a frequently asked question about semester-based small groups:

If groups operate on a semester system and everyone rotates groups, how do you manage accountability?

Kerrick Thomas, co-author of Activate: An Entirely New Approach to Small Groups and Executive Pastor at The Journey, answers the question:

Thank you for your question about “accountability” in a semester-based small group system.  I’ll do my best to answer concisely.

First of all – accountability is provided in the small groups during the 10-12 week semester.  Each individual signs a small group covenant, commits to attend the group, serve, give, attend on Sunday and keep up with the reading during that time.  And the members of the group help them be accountable for those important spiritual disciplines during that time.

There are more people being held accountable through a semester-based small group system that has over 100% of the average Sunday attendance signed up than in a long-term small group system that only has 30% of the Sunday attendance involved.

And the goal is that personal accountability for issues that are more personal will develop naturally through longer term relationships that develop within the group and then carry on afterwards.

But secondly – as far as long-term accountability for members – church membership provides that accountability structure for us.  Members sign a Membership Covenant and we hold them accountable for standards of membership (giving, serving, being in a small group, attending, living a godly life-style (as much as we can know).

So – I would say that having a Membership Class, a Membership Covenant and holding members accountable for the commitments they make serves as a strong primary accountability structure.

I hope that helps answer your question!

Kerrick

P.S. To go ‘in depth’ on semester based small groups, check out the Small Groups Intensive that Nelson and I put together – its goes into every aspect of the system.  Simply click here.

Here’s a frequently asked question we receive from church planters:

Do you have any resources available on applying for 501(c) 3 status. when to, how to, etc.?  I would like donations to our church plant and tithes to be tax deductable.

Scott Whitaker, Director of Training and Events for CLI answers:

You have a great question.  We encourage church planters to file for 501(c)3 status.  It assists with credibility and confidence in having tax deductible status.  Here is the link from the IRS website http://www.irs.gov/publications/p557.  You will find the instructions and answers to any other related question on their site.
Don’t feel overwhelmed by the process.  You may check with a CPA, non-profit lawyer, or a denomination (if you’re affiliated with one) on having them file it for you.  It can be done yourself, but it may be better for you to pay someone else depending on your church plant resources.  We highly recommend these guys: http://www.churchlawgroup.com/

Thanks Scott!  Hope that helps.

Nelson

P.S. If you are a Church Planter, we have over $75 in resources to give you, just click here.

The most frequently asked question I’ve received over the last two months is:

How am I to lead my church during this financial crisis?  How do I prepare?  What do I need to do and not do?

To listen to my answer to this question, check out my latest podcast:

HOW TO LEAD YOUR CHURCH DURING THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
(Download the free MP3, Listen online or subscribe via iTunes)

I promise this podcast will leave you with HOPE!

Enjoy!

Nelson

P.S. If you have questions, simply use the Ask Nelson button on the right.

Here’s what’s happening with Church Leader Insights and me this week that may be of interest to you:

Monday – I’m in Lakeland, Florida today speaking at the Florida Baptist Convention Pastors Conference.  My sermon is based on the wise farmer in Mark 4:3-20.

Tuesday -  Watch your email today for the Church Leader Insights newsletter today.  I share seven articles and two book recommendations that will help your church.  I’m very excited about this months issue!   If you aren’t a subscriber to the newsletter, use the sign-up box on the right.

Wednesday – My normal Sabbath.  I proflect that I’ll be watching Madascar 2 with Alexander – ha!

Thursday – Lots of planning meetings today at The Journey.  We’ll be working on our January 2009 series and our One in  a Milion Christmas Offering.  I also will be leading my Tele-Coaching Network today at 1:00pm.

Friday -  Our big Friday Night Baptism and Worship Concert is tonight.  I love baptisms!

Saturday – Journey is hosting a booth at ActorFest today as part of our servant evangelism outreach and commitment to serve artists in our city.

Make it a great week!

Nelson

“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
– Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist

Bob Franquiz, Guest Blogger:

Bob Franquiz, Guest Blogger:

#4 – I was trying to be someone else – Here’s what I didn’t realize when I first started in ministry, that Jesus didn’t save us to clone us. God created you to be you. When we started our church, I was 26 years old, and I was desperate to know how a Senior Pastor acted. So I did what I knew: I wore a tie every Sunday, I taught the way I was taught to, and I said “Praise the Lord” and “God bless you” in all the right spots.

What was the result? I was miserable. I hate wearing ties. I had different ideas about teaching and communicating than my instructors and all the Christianeze was about to make me puke.

So I decided to be myself. I put away the ties. I started communicating in a way that was suited to my gifts and I started talking like a normal person. In the end, I was much happier and the joy of ministry came back when I decided to be me.

If you’re interested is hearing about some other Church Planting Pitfalls, check out this resource Nelson Searcy and I did on the subject. If you’re a church planter interested in coaching, click here to be part of my new tele-coaching network exclusively for church planters! I have a couple of spots left.

Bob Franquiz, Guest Blogger:

#3 – I had a hard time saying “no” – When we stated Calvary Fellowship, the last thing I wanted to do was say no when someone asked me something. What resulted was getting roped into commitments I didn’t want to be part of, agreeing to start ministries I didn’t feel called to, and allow people into positions of influence that had no business being there. The result: chaos.

If you’re a leader, “No” is your best friend. “No” means you’re clear about what you’re called to do and what you aren’t called to do. “No” means you’d rather please God than people. “No” means you’re confident in who God has called you to be. “No” means you’re willing to upset a few for the sake of reaching many. I encourage you to passionate about what you say yes to, and say “no” to everything else.
If you’re interested is hearing about some other Church Planting Pitfalls, check out this resource Nelson Searcy and I did on the subject. If you’re a church planter interested in coaching, click here to be part of my new tele-coaching network exclusively for church planters! I have a couple of spots left.